Ultimately, perception is more important than reality in this matter.
The media contributes enormously to the perception. Right now we as a nation are supposed to be 'bitterly divided like never before.'
The 'divide' as a media story was not a factor when Clinton was president, for example, though he won the presidency with 43 and 49 percent of the popular vote. In both elections more people voted against Clinton than for him.
What happens if Kerry wins in a nailbiter? Don't worry, he won't, but imagine what if? Figure we as a nation would be as divided on November 1st ad we would be on November 3rd, but the balance of power would have shifted.
Expect any stories on how 'divided' we are? Or will the angle be 'the healing has begun?' Of course, you will see more stories from the latter angle.
In regards to 'would america sacrifice like the WW2 generation,' most of america would, yet the media centers would depict the situation in their backyard: a steady procession of young mothers who insist that they can't sacrifice, a bunch of young adult slackers who simply won't sacfifice, etc.
Not good.
My late father fought three wars so his children and grandchildren wouldn't have to. His pedigree included Guadalcanal, Pelilieu, Inchon, the Yalu River Encampments, and the 1965 Marine landing in Vietnam. The succeeding generations in our family have not and will not forget the sacrifices of our great veterans.
I have two sons. Should the worst happen, they would be as willing as any of their ancestors to defend what we have, as even an old timer like myself would be.
The southern and western halves of my spoiled and soiled generation were always more prone to listen to Lynyrd Skynyrd, Marshall Tucker, and the Allmans, than the hippie stuff coming from the coasts. We were longhaired rednecks. David Allen Coe even wrote a song by that name.
The battle for this nation is not generation wide. Many of us boomers came to our senses before Reagan was elected and never wore a mangled military uniform or peace sign to begin with.
That's what the perception angle is all about. If you're not marching on Washington about some dumbass leftist cause, you're a slacker--to the leftist MSM.
They have done a fine job promoting themselves as what a generation ought to be.
But the perception is changing. The old media are dying, and the new media are emerging with a stronger voice, and clearer message.